Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1868 — Who Ate Roger Williams? [ARTICLE]

Who Ate Roger Williams?

—Tbo-tTtrtb-tfrata orm at nnrttar’frarcP" ees from tlio animal.back tolh&yeg--etnble, and from the vegetable to tho animat kingdom -agettnrecEivcd w curions illustration not long since. For the purposo of erecting a suitable monument in memory of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, bis private burying ground was soarchod for the graves of himsCif and wifo. It was found that everything bad passed into oblivion. The~sbape of the coffins could only be traced by a block lino of carboaceous matter. The rusting i hinges a«d nails, and a round woodon knot, alone remained in one j grave; while a single lock of braided hair was found in tho other. Near the gravo stood an apple tree. This had sent down two main roots into tho very presence of the confined dead. The larger root, pushing its way to the precise spot occupied by tho skull of Roger Williams, had mndo a turn as if passing around it, and followed the direction of the backbone to tb© hips. Here it divided into two branches, sending one along oach leg to the heels, when both turned upwards to the toes. One of these roots formed a slight crook at the knee, which made the whole bear a striking resemblanco to the human form. There were the graves, but their occupants bad disappeared; the bones oven bad vanished. There stood the thief—-the guilty applo tree—caught in the very net of robbery, Thespoliation was complete. The organic matter the flesh, the bones of Roger Williams haj passed into an applo tree. Tho elements have been absorbed by -the roots, transmuted into woody fiber, which could now bo burned as fuel, or carved into ornaments,' and bloomed into fragrant blossoms, whiib delighted the eye of the pass-er-by, and scattered the sweetest perfumes as Bpring; moro than tbut ■ —has beetLcontartod into luamu# fruit, which, from 3 - ear to year, had ! been gathered and oaten, llow ! pertinent, then, is the question, ' ‘Whp ate Roger Williams!’’' — t Steel’s Fourtetn Weeis in Chtmiitry. | r —K is said that the Siamese twins keep away frpm Chicago beta use they don't wrnt to bo separated. * 1 •+* t. > —;Tbe consumption of flour In (he, city of Boston is said to be ! ,000,00(1 barrel* per annum.